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01 October 2019 | Story Nikile Ntsababa (Registrar)

The nomination process for the election of two representatives to serve on the UFS Council was finalised on Tuesday, 17 September 2019 – the closing date for nominations.
 
Here are the names of the nominees (listed alphabetically):
 
Representative from the Qwaqwa Campus:
None
 
Other representative:
Mr Christo Dippenaar
Dr Pieter du Toit
Mr Lefa Mabaso
Dr Walter Matli
Mr Zama Sigwebela
 
Please note that no nominations were received for representatives from the Qwaqwa Campus.  Since this scenario is not legislated in the Statute, Institutional Rules, and Convocation Constitution, the Registrar will, after consultation with the President of the Convocation, open another round of nominations for Qwaqwa representatives to Council (with the closing date 8 October 2019) to ensure that the campus is also represented on Council.
 
Convocation and Alumni members from the Qwaqwa Campus are therefore given a second opportunity to nominate one representative from among their members for the Qwaqwa Campus.  All nominations must reach the office of the Registrar no later than 16:30 on Wednesday, 9 October 2019.
 
Every nomination form  shall be signed by four (4) members of the Convocation and shall contain the written acceptance of the nomination by the nominee under his/her signature as well as an abridged CV and a motivation of more or less 200 words.
 
Nominations are to be submitted to:  email: registrar@ufs.ac.za or delivered by hand to Nikile Ntsababa, Main Building, Room 51, Bloemfontein Campus.
 
Kindly take note that late or incomplete nominations will not be accepted or considered.
 
Further information regarding the election process will follow in due course.

News Archive

UFS produces an inspirational Summer Graduation
2016-12-12

Description: Dr Ferial Haffajee summer graduation Tags: Dr Ferial Haffajee summer graduation 

Dr Ferial Haffajee, editor-at-large at The Huffington
Post SA, who was conferred with an honorary doctorate,
and Dr Khotso Mokhele, the Chancellor of the
University of the Free State at this year’s Summer Graduation.
Photo: Eugene Seegers

“A graduation ceremony epitomises every student’s academic dream and pursuit, and allows you to look back as you enter the professional career of your choice.”

These were the words of guest speaker Dr Mafu Rakometsi, Chief Executive Officer of Umalusi, that resonated through the Callie Human Centre at this year’s Summer Graduation on the Bloemfontein Campus. He mentioned that today graduates would look back at a journey that started with hesitant steps, and despite all their ups and downs, they had managed to make it this far.

During the afternoon session, Prof Lis Lange, Vice-Rector: Academic, at the University of the Free State (UFS), said that graduations were always an occasion for celebration and this year, there were two reasons for these celebrations.

 “The first is simply that we made it through a difficult 2016 and the secondly because we are celebrating two crucial professions that will attribute to the well-being of this country, namely teachers and health practitioners.”

Meaningful graduation ceremony for Ferial Haffajee

This year, the UFS had the privilege and honour to confer editor-at-large at The Huffington Post SA, Ferial Haffajee, with an honorary doctorate in the Faculty of the Humanities.

Speaking after the graduation ceremony, Dr Haffajee said, “It was really, really meaningful for me, because I’ve never been able to graduate. When I finished university, it was during the struggle against apartheid, so we didn’t graduate. It was a wonderful day and wonderful to see the role that young people are playing on this campus.”

“Dr Ferial Haffajee has made a significant contribution to press freedom in South Africa. She is known both nationally and internationally for the work she has done and therefore it is an honour to welcome her as a Kovsie. She is one of the people who represent the values of the UFS. We are proud of her and we wish her great success,” said Prof Milagros Rivera, Head: Department of Communication Science and acting Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities at the UFS.

Description: Summer graduation 2016 general photo Tags: Summer graduation 2016 general photo 

Photo: Johann Roux

Inspiration drawn from graduation ceremonies

During his address, Dr Khotso Mokhele, the Chancellor of the UFS, made special mention of many that inspired him at the graduation ceremonies.

His inspirations included Dr Ambrotius Swartbooi, who suffered a spinal injury from a near-fatal car accident which left him paralysed and a quadriplegic, yet who still managed to receive his doctorate; Setsoane Ntseki, a matriculant with poise and an incredible voice, who delivered the song item; Judge Ian van der Merwe, Chairperson of the Council at the UFS and a close friend of Dr Mokhele, with whom he worked for many years; as well Dr Haffajee, a trail-blazer that many look up to.

Damian Viviers was recognised as one of the youngest PhD graduates in the Faculty of Law, where he received a PhD in Mercantile Law. He is a research fellow in the Department of Mercantile Law, and was recently appointed as candidate attorney in the commercial department at Phatshoane Henney Attorneys.

In closing, his message to the class of 2016 was simple, that even though the world and our country may find itself in an odd space now, the graduates needed to remember that even though they would become leaders, there was always something bigger than themselves.

“Go out there and do us proud. Come back and plough back into this institution not only with your money, but your skills and time too.”

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